Genre
Biography / Memoir
Setting and Context
Set in Vietnam during the Vietnam War
Narrator and Point of View
Narrator: Tim O'Brien;
Point of View: First-person
Tone and Mood
Grim, Haunting, Exhausted
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Tim O'Brien; Antagonist: The Vietnam War
Major Conflict
Though he was opposed to the Vietnam War, O’Brien is drafted into the war and has to contend with the horrors, moral dilemmas, and bureaucracy.
Climax
The climax happens when O’Brien is discharged from military service in Vietnam and goes back home.
Foreshadowing
The opening of the narrative where O’Brien and Barney hardly return fire to the enemy shots foreshadows O’Brien’s attitude towards the war.
Understatement
“Snipers yesterday, snipers today. What’s the difference?”
Allusions
The novel uses the biblical allusion of Christ’s suffering to refer to the soldiers as martyrs of the war.
Imagery
The narrative portrays the imagery of intense horror and devastation of war.
Paradox
It highlights the paradox of being duty-bound to serve your country yet reluctant to fight or kill the enemy.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
“…the corps of foot soldiers, common grunts”
Personification
“The darkness of Fort Lewis mornings is choked off by brazen lights”
